Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-12-25
Christmas Throughout the
world.

Although the palmy days OF the
Christmastide which belonged to the
time Of GOOD Queen Bess" are oyer !;
and although the freedom which
Bore then upon its surface broad,
No mark to part the so ulre ana lord,
is past. Christmas in England is a
iovous occasion. To be sure the mis-
tletoe, with which is inter-
woven so many romantic
aud poetic associations, has
been banished from the churches,
as = relic of organism; but the
Christmas-tree SO dear to the old as
well as to the young has taken its
place while the laurel, the ivy, holly
and evergreen havetwined themselves
lovingly around the altar and the
hearth. Then, too, the merry ring
ing of the Christmas bells, the sing
ing of the Christmas carols, the dis
tribution of beef and bread on Christ
mas eve to the poor of the parish
and the Christmas dinner, with its
marvellous plum pudding, its roast
beef and its pies, are glad memorial
to the birthday OF the Christian world.
In France the Christ-child is beauti-
fully represented as the Santa Claus
of the little ones. He appears ac-
companied by q convoy OF angels,
who bear in their hands the presents
which the Christ-child bestows on the
hearth and in the small shoes placed
to receive them. The Bambino is the
St. Nicholas OF Italy; but it is not I'M
usual for the children to SO shopping
with their parents and to select their
own presents. Meanwhile the streets
are like fairs, and the public squares
are sort OF bazars. Then there is the
Presepio in the churches and in pri-
waite families, and the midnight mass
on Christmas eve, when the Bambino
is held up in front OF the altar by the
officiating priest to be kissed, while
the entire congregation Join the choir
in singing a pastoral hymn. The
Presepio, or manger. varies In size
and cost; some are very rude, but
others are magnificent. In some
churches the whole parish con
tribute to the expense Of fitting up
the Presepio, while legacies are often
left for the especial purpose. In some
places in Bohemia the manager is also
used as the receptacle OF the pres
ents, which the Christ-child, drawn
through the air by four milk-whita
horses, is tabled to bring in chariot
ladened with toys and sweet meats.
| In Russia the Christmas tree and st.
Nicholas are highly popular, while in
Spain Christmas is observed, 1t is
said. much as it is in Italy. Through
out the Scandinavian countries,
Christmas time, which continues I'M
til Epiphany, is the gayest season Q
the year. While it lasts no heav!
work is done; the Watchdog is un
chained, the cattle are addi,ionaii.
fed, and even the birds are remem
bered. In the rural districts the ia
bles are left spread and standing, AM
every visitor is expected to partake
some of the good cheer. In Laplan
and Norway, 1t is customary to set
, cake out in the snow in order to pre-
pitiate some pagan divinity, ana !
r Sweden and Denmark the Christina
! box, inclosed in countlesslwrappers an
: labeled with the name Of the perso
, | for whom it is intended, is thrown IL
! to the room by some unseen messe'
! ger, who, as he losses Il
! gift in. raps loudly ON til
4 door. In the large towns and citit
r of Stockholm they hold great fair
q and decorate the shops and have fan
8 ily reunions, in the midst of whic
Il are to be seen Christmas trees lade
0 with fruits, flowers and sweetmeat
J. and brilliantly illuminated with burr
S ing wax lights. In Scotland, Chris
t. mas is celebrated very much the san
n as it is in England; while in German
70 the Christmas holidays seem to ha
il taken the place Of the old pagan fes
val of the "fwelve Nights" ~